Thursday, August 13, 2009

Looks like Michael Vick will take his circus on the road to Philadelphia, where ESPN.com is reporting that he will sign to serve as a backup to Donovan McNabb.

Now that makes sense -- the Eagles' backup QB just got hurt. So you can see why they are doing this.

But unlike my colleague and friend Tom Sorensen, who wrote in today's paper that he would like to see Carolina sign Vick, I have never advocated this. I will repeat a bit of what I said on this blog several weeks ago (a blog that drew a personal record of 186 comments, so people obviously care about this issue).

From my previous blog:

"There are many questions about Vick, but here, I believe, are the two biggest:

1) Can he stay out of trouble? 2) Can he still play at anywhere near the same level?

Vick is only 29, but his promising career was derailed by his involvement with (and subsequent jail time for) an illegal dogfighting enterprise.

Now, should the Panthers sign him?

NO. Let's just consider Vick just as a football player for the moment. He doesn't fit what the Panthers like to do. John Fox doesn't care about his quarterback running much. He does care about accuracy -- always Vick's weakness as a thrower. Jake Delhomme is well-set here as the starter. Vick at best would be a backup and while certainly an interesting alternative to Josh McCown (No.2) and Matt Moore (No.3), it's not a good fit overall.

Carolina doesn't need the circus Vick will bring with him, and Vick needs a team that didn't win 12 games last year and is more willing to take a risk by bringing him aboard. That team should be warned, however: You just can't count on that athleticism that used to set Vick apart, and without that, he's an average NFL quarterback at best.

Still, I hope Vick resurrects himself in the NFL somewhere. He has served his time. He's got Tony Dungy on his side now as a mentor, and that's a good thing.

Vick deserves another chance."

Today, I still believe all of that. And the ones of you out there who are just sure Vick would take the Panthers to the Super Bowl... we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one.

(In the meantime, if you're reading this post before Friday, Aug.14 at 7 p.m., check out the next post down if you want a chance at a "Rabid Goldfish" T-shirt). And no, that name doesn't have anything to do with Vick.

74 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Vick would've fit. First off the 2 years of not having the pounding from football actually has kept him in shape. It's the weekly grind that ages you as a player. Anyone thats played knows this. Second anyone can hand the ball off to Williams/Stewart. What Vick does that Jake can't is when he rolls out of the pocket the D has to still respect the run. Once the D does this and brings the safety up or spies a LB, all of a sudden Smitty is in man coverage. Vick has the cannon to get the ball to him. These are the throws he was effective with in Atlanta & I think Carolina has a much more talented group. Thats my 2 cents anyway.

For crying out loud. Get off Vick's back. He deserves a second chance. I am so proud the Eagles signed him. He will make the Panthers wish they had him when Jake puts them on the bottom again. John Fox & Jake stink. Hope Michael shows all the NFL he can make a great come back.

Vick is definetely not the type of player the Panthers would enjoy having on the team. Character counts. "Vick participated in the killing of dogs by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them to the ground."

No character, time served or not, decent human beings do not participate in these types of activities. Vick is a dirtbag. Maybe Philly is a good fit for Vick, since all the Eagles fans are dirtbags too.

Lets think about this for a minute....Vick bankrolls a dog fighting operation and gets almost 2 years in prison....Donte Stallworth kills a man while driving drunk in Miami and serves 24 out of a possible 30 days he was sentenced...Kind of puts it into perspective the value we put on the dogs vs. the man who was killed by stallworth. I really wish the Panthers would have gotten Vick.

We talk about the killing of Dogs, but know one wants to talk about Dog racing and horse racing, what happen to those animals if they don't win. While i dont agree with the abuse of animals, we still have to put our priorities in order. Lenard Little killed a human being, why was there no out cry about that.

ok this really piss me off about the panthers. fox and the GM are saying that they are ready 2 win now but they didn't do nothing this offseason to show that they are a super bowl contender. they made no moves in free agency bc they are so loyal to peppers and wanted to make him the highest paid defense player even tho he didn't want to play in carolina. we trade our future top 15 first round pick in next year's draft(yes it will be in the top 10 or top 15 because our schedule is brutal this year)to get a DE that im unsure about in this year's draft. we lack depth and both offensive and defensive lines. and on top of that we still got the same QB that caused 6 turnovers in the playoffs. when we finally have the chance to get vick, a real playmaker that would make us bowl contender every year, we passed on him. this is why we are not taken serious by sports writers as well as other NFL teams.they know we always have a up and down season

I wished I got paid to give my opinion. People like you and Skip Bayless, get paid to make non-sense arguments based off weak facts. Matt who, Josh who, yeah we sure are strong there at backup, I saw Jake sucking it up before the playoff game only good thing was that those 4 ints were against the Raiders. Panthers set at quarterback, give me a break. They could've at least brought in Leftwich or some other name to push Jake, all he does is just throw it up to Steve and hope he comes down with it. Vick killed dogs ok, get over it. Time heals all wounds people, and the next time some kid gets mauled to death by a dog, think where was Vick when we needed him.

Everybody was talking about Fox not closing the door on Vick. Fox never closes the door on anything. So, that meant nothing. Anyone who knows Richardson, knows that Vick wasn't coming here. At least we'll get to see him in the opener, maybe. He paid his debt and now he will play and entertain some fans and we'll still be stuck with Jake the Flake, and Mr. Fox, average Joes. There are two seasons in the NFL---regular and playoffs. Who cares about 12 ugly wins. Just entertain us and grow a pair. That's what we pay for and I've been paying since the first year in Clemson. Good luck to Mike and to Philly. I'm still a big Panther Fan but 40 mil to a chump like Jake is a joke. See you on the lower level, sports fans...and yes I have pets. I do not however cast stones. That's between Vick and the man upstairs, not me. As if there were no dog fighting rings in Mecklenburg County. Get real people... Ever been to a bull fight?

I was so disappointed when I read Sorenson's article wanting Vick here and yet, he claims to be an animal lover. I can promise you animal rights activists are going to be all over the Eagles and Vick will be nothing but a distraction. Thank God he is far away from here. I serve on several animal rights agencies and I have been a witness at many trials for those convicted of dog fighting. They are scum- just like Vick and my biggest wish is that 20 starving pit bulls maul him to death and that would even be too good for him.

Guess Tom is crying in his spilled milk. I personally thing Sorenson has lost his mind. And I agree with you Scott Thank God Vick is NOT a Panther. He is going to be more of a distraction to the Eagles than TO ever was. The Eagles are going to pay for signing him I promise you that. PETA is already gearing up. How much you want to bet Vick will get back into dog fighting as soon Tony turns his back? Yea- he's sorry - sorry he got caught. I truly loathe that scumbag.

I see why I don't buy the Charlotte "FishWrapper", Scott and all the so-called anti-Vick personnel is a joke. What a talent we passed up for Jake "the fake" Delphony. At least Andy Reid had a pair and seen what he was missing and went with it. Then someone had the nerve to say the panthers are thug-free when Smitty beat up his co-worker/player and ruins a "human" career but he gets praised for touchdowns. LOL, I'm a Panthers fan but definitely not one of the Charlotte paper and some of the panthers staff. WE as humans has short term memory, anyone remember Sept.11th. Oh yeah, how much do we talk about that anymore and it was a human tragedy but Peta gets a million from Vick and already back to their tactics. Please, find an animal for a shelter and leave the man alone. Oh yeah, don't pets also get put to sleep; I guess it's the way the die is cruel. Guess what, a death is a death no matter how it's been done.

This is a moot issue with the panthers they would have never signed the guy anyway because of the Richardson family values. Scott knows that he just strring the pot like any other writer would. Tom just being a rebel like always , he is from the same state as Prince so he just cuts against the grain. The Panthers never even thought about Vick.-D.C. from Mt.Holly.

Too bad, it would've been a breath of fresh air to have Vick on the team. As for the dogs, well so Vick was involved with some dog killing, but Jake is involved with killing chickens (via bojangles). What's the difference really?

I honestly think he would have been great with the panthers, but they might have a few too many morally questionable guys on the team anyways. Vick needed a place where he could kind of be mentored with a strong lockerroom, so the eagles were a good place.

I feel what Michael Vick did was horrible, but this situation was blown out of proportion due to the uniqueness and perception of the crime. That's what has created a media controversy, because of animal rights activists. I also believe it is socio-economic in nature, considering the lack of outrage for more widely accepted activities like horse racing, dog racing, hunting for sport, and bullfighting.

People talk of Vick as if he committed major crimes against humanity, as if he participated in numerous criminal activities outside of this, and he was ever a cancer to his football team. This is all because of the mainstream love of dogs as being part of the family (likened to a child). If this was cockfighting, it would be a non-issue.

As far as football is concerned, the guy served time in prison. Get over it now. Here you have an amazing talent that you could pick up for cheap. QB is a position of need, especially in an offense that is heavily one-dimensional with Jake back there. It was a perfect opportunity for us to have dangerous threats to score from anywhere on the field at all 3 major offensive skill positions (QB, RB, and WR). We blew that. And we'll regret it.

Not to mention, the love someone like Pat White received in Panther areas for his ability to throw and take off, and yet we pass on the most dangerous running QB perhaps ever.

Vick would've definitely fit. Simply because we don't pay Jake to win games for us. We pay him literally not to lose them. Which means the amount of snaps he gets means less to us. Incorporating Vick into several plays makes us much more dangerous. If anyone should have their snaps split lessened it's Jake. Opportunity missed.

Vick paid his time for the dogfighting, so leave that aside for a moment.

Just as a football player, he does nothing for the Panthers. He's a mediocre passer, and the only team he really abused consistently with the run was the Panthers! (Something he wouldn't be able to do as a Panther.)

Forgetting the moral reasons, there is no football purpose to be served by having him on the team.

The great outcry against even entertaining the possibility signing Vick is simply yet another sad demonstration of how such a pretty city is inhabitated by so many close-minded, pretentious, radically conservative and, in this particular case, hypocritical individuals.

For such a "church-going" city, it would be nice for perhaps some of its citizens to remember "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

This is not only about the poor animals who were tortured and killed by Vick and his friends. If it were, we would be equally outraged at the despicable treatment of dogs elsewhere in America, as well as the unimaginable conditions millions of animals face in feedlots, slaughterhouses and factories. We would also think twice of takin' that 'ole vacation to nations like Spain as their treatment of animals is curious given that bulls are not exactly "handled with care" before being starved, frightened, abused, tortured and then gradually killed over the course of several hours to an applauding audience.

Animal cruelty is a problem. A real one. It exists everywhere and it IS our obligation to work together to prevent it. However, Vick is someone who has paid for his crime, has pledged to not only refrain from harming animals, but also to help prevent future harm. Who knows how much good he is capable of doing given that he is now dedicating time and effort to the cause?

That is more than I can say for many of us who purport to care so deeply about dogs and other animals but really do nothing other than judge, complain and facebook.

Ill repost what I posted last night because Im curious of what people think....

Lets think about this for a minute....Vick bankrolls a dog fighting operation and gets almost 2 years in prison....Donte Stallworth kills a man while driving drunk in Miami and serves 24 out of a possible 30 days he was sentenced...Kind of puts it into perspective the value we put on the dogs vs. the man who was killed by stallworth.

Stallworth's crime wasn't pre-meditated. Vick killed repeatedly. Vick didn't go to prison for killing dogs. Vick went to prison for financing an organized crime unit that participated in interstate gambling. There is no telling how far that blood money goes

This is why my beloved Panthers will always be a step lowerer than the Steelers, Patriots, Eagles. Let's face it! The NFL is all about winning. Though I believe that the Panthers are a first class organization like the teams mentioned before; they're really high on public image. That's why the Steelers, Patriots and Eagles compete year in and out for Championships. As far as Scott says; it would be a media circus; they are all professionals. It's a part of the job sometimes. Vick is better than both backups in his sleep. My main problem is that the Panthers could at least have brought in someone that could get the job done if Jake gets hurt or play like he did last season against the Lions, Raiders and Cardinals. Vick is a better passer than people are saying. Vick never played with a receiver the likes of Smitty, Chad Johnson, Randy Moss or T.O. I remember a lot of dropped passes from Falcon receivers when Vick was playing. Besides, when your Tight End (Crumpler)is your best receiver, you're not going to have a good passer rating.

I hope animal organizations in NC will hold protest of the Eagles when they come into town. Vick will be suspended but people who care should still let the Eagles organization know how disappointed we are. Hopefully the Observer will actually report on any planned protest to drum up support.

Okay, first, when Michael Vick played he was one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL. No matter how much you use the term athlete, he was a quarterback. Too say he was an average quarterback is a joke, especially when everybody knows that every year at least half of the NFL's quarterbacks are horrible. He is a quarterback who is athletic, that's a far cry from a quarterback who is not! Who would want that on their team?

Just a reminder: Before the dog incident, Vick was never in the media for doing anything other than his job. He was not one of NFL's troubled players. So many of you claim to be Christians, but you forget that we are to forgive people and not stand in judgement. This person deserves a second chance. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!

WOW, murderers and people who steel millions and billions of dollars get second chances and get treated better than this! I do not condone what he did and he paid a hefty price for it, it's time to move on. Look in the mirror people, hunters shoot animals for recreation?! i don't see the outrage over that!

This sucks!!!! I really hate we didn't get the Panther's. I just knew we were gona get him. Now we are stuck dealing with flaky jake. I swear....i guess i will NEVER get to have me a Panther's dress made and have another Superbowl Party. I'm disgusted. Vick did his time, give it a rest already. Gessshhh!! The Eagles are lucky....too bad for the Panther's. We really messed up with this one.

We will see where Delhome take the Panthers, he will get another chance to destroy a good team. Regardless, I will cheer for the Panthers, but I wish they would have taken a chance on Vick. It is about winning football games.

People are less likely to go after someone involved in drinking and driving accidents that result in death because most know they have been behind the wheel with a couple of drinks and are lucky they didn't hurt anyone. It is a shame that the country is more outraged by the death of animals than of humans but people feel that we are supposed to take care of those things weaker than we are (children, animals) and it causes people to seriously think twice of those who can cause that harm while not under the influence of any alcohol or drug, just out of some anger or distaste for life they carry around. Having said all this I do feel Vick deserves a second chance and would have personally liked to have seen him turn his life around with the Panthers but to each his own. We are all influenced by the things in our environment during our childhood and obviously the Vick family grew up in a rough area with not alot of positive adult influences. Tony Dungy should be applauded for stepping in to guide Vick where others have failed. Probably represents something for both involved seeing how Dungy is obviously still hurting from the loss of his own son a couple of years back. Hope this has a happy ending.

Have people forgotten that Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens murdered a person and yesterday Donte Stallworth was suspended for the entire NFL season for getting behind the wheel of his car and killing someone. While its true what Vick did was wrong, how is it that the above named players get away with murder and still play ball (except for Stallworth). The Panthers will never bring a SuperBowl Championship to this City with Jake at the helm. With his performance during the Cardinals game, any other team would have let him go! Guess it helpful when your father-in-law owns the team

Are you serious or retarded? Are you suggesting that Jake Dehomme is any more accurate? I say no. Jake is lucky to have excellent recievers that can adjust for his inaccuracies.

At one time, I thought the people in charlotte just want a pro team for name's sake. I am convinced now that y'all want to continue being mediocre and don't have a killer instinct.

They should've signed Vick. A set with 3 pro-bowl running backs, and 2 pro-bowl wide recievers would be crazy for someone to defend. You wouldn't have to worry about sacks... Vick can shuffle. Can Jake do that?

Now don't get me wrong. To anyone who isn't a Panther fan, I defend Jake to no end. But on this, I think the whole "Vick is NOT a Panther, thankfully" comment was not properly weighed. Forget what John Fox likes to do. You need to adjust for the type quarterback you have.

I think you guys are just thankful because you don't want someone percieved as a criminal on the team. Well, I'm not a pet enthusiast, so, I don't consider him to be as bad. PETA may pickett the first couple games until he started putting wins on the books.

I know that Vick's actions were wrong, but why do people think that killing animals is such a horrible, unforgiveable action. Vick's enjoyment of killing dogs does show him as a sick person, but I would consider the fact that he led a illegal gambling opperation as worst that killing some dogs. By the way, for those who hate him and think he does not deserve another chance, what do you want him to do?

I wish I had Tony Dungy as a mentor for a few months. That's integrity that can't be questioned. If he says Mike had turned it around, he's turned it around. Watch Philly after this all dies down. They boo all the time anyway. The Panthers have to play the NFC East this year. No chump games. No six dollar beer for me. I'll be by the south gate with my cooler. By the way Squeaky Fromme got out of prison...

My apology to the Panthers for my comment about Coach Fox & Jake..I have enjoyed the Panthers for years especially when they went to the super bowl. I just knew they were good enough to win. Have high hopes for this season. With Vick I really think they would have had better chance. I always believe in second chances as I am a Christian with a son, grandchildren,& greatchildren so no I have no interest in any of the players excpt enjoying the great games. I do have special ones like Steve & Julius I like to watch play. I watch all the games just love the Panthers & I think they are the most SPECIAL. Would be a great thrill to see them in person.

I cannot wait to grill out.Got some burgers and steak from a murdered cow.Some chicken.I think Im going to serve it in a nice Pita.M-M-M-M-M-M. PETA wants to protest at Eagle games? Remember the Eagle fans attacked Sata Claus.White people what is it with you and dogs? Makes you wonder what is really going on.Vick is average yet they he beat the Panthers how many times.Charlotte is just a small redneck backwoods hillybilly town that will never win the big game because of your conservative values like Gov.Sanford

If Michael Vick was a white NFL player there would be no problem. The carolina panthers suck anyway and the need to get vick and fire delhomme... He has paid his debt to society and everyond deserves a second chance. Dont use race as an issue here because I am very white

Both are heinous, but one cant really compare the two except for intent. Stallworth didnt kill a man on purpose. Vick purposefully participated in the fighting, torturing, electrocuting, shooting and hanging dogs for five years.

Vick will be better off playing as an "Eagle" in the long run......these Southerns are not ready to win a Superbowl, or have a Black QB. Nothing has changed. I'm just thankful Tony Dungy being the saved man he is came into Vick's life, Peace & Blessing to both of them.

Fowler,There are a couple of reasons why your stance on Vick doesn't make sense to me. And thet both begin with "Shaky Jake". You say that Vick never made sense because the Panthers look for accuracy in a quaterback. That's absoloutely hilarious! When has the "Ragin Cajun" ever been accurate. Come on man. Then you said we shouldn't have signed Vick because he is only average at best. When has Delhomme been anything else but that himself? Unlike the Eagles you and the Panthers organization refuse to take a chance on someone that can get us off this Jake Delhomme merry-go-round. I call it that because with him we aren't going anywhere.

Scott, I agree with you. I can't imagine what Tom was thinking, although i suspect he was just trying to stir things up a little.

I think that Vick has a deep-seeded character issue not likely to go away. He knew what he was doing was illegal. did not matter, thought the rules did not apply to hi. shortly before that there was the bottle incident at the airport. And, shortly before that, he flipped off the Atlanta fans.

He may be playing the the game so that he can play a game. I do not think that could have ever gotten him close enough to be a potential Panther.

You've got to be kidding. I like Jake, but give Vick Steve Smith and he would have looked accurate too. Oh, and no more underthrown passes, with his stronger arm. Hitting Steve n stride? Plus, Smith would be open even more with the threat of a backfield breakout. Come into the new millenium, no statues will be placed in the NFL backfield. With linemen like Peppers, you have to be mobile and keep the defense off balance. I suppose that forward pass thing is just a fad too.

I have Pets, and like everyone else in the Carolina's I've sinned. Is it just the bible belt when it concerns you? No forgiveness for others, even when they've paid the cost society set? How does the the world look from wat up there?

How can anyone say that Vick's actions were worst that Stallworth's? Stallworth's actions killed a man, Vick's actions killed a few dogs. I know that Stallworth did not intend to kill someone, but his actions resulted in it, and I know that Vick is sick to take pleasue in killing dogs, but still the death of a person is FAR worst that animals; this PETA crap is much more widespread that I though

Comment: I'm a big fan of ESPN, the NFL, and Micheal Vick. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance especially after Vick has paid his debt to society, plus who are we to judge!! I'm real sure that @ 1 point and time a lot of us has made mistakes and has a few skeletons in our closet. Who without any Sin may cast the 1st stone. You wanna talk about class, I give props to the Eagles originazation for seeing an awesome athlete that can help the team and to show forgiveness. The Eagles stepped to the plate and were willing to give Vick another chance, while the other teams were to chicken to step out of the box because they were too afraid of what people thought and afraid of loosing fans, but if you love the game as I do, the true fans will alway be there!! Some of us can learn a valuable lesson on forgiveness!! Tee Jessup

So Vick "paid his debt to society" so should now get a free pass back to a lucrative career. Question...if a child molestor or sexual predator was released from prison after "he paid his debt to society" would you want him moving in next door to you and your family? He deserves a second chance , right? Bottom line is he served his legal debt to society but he will forever pay a moral debt for people who found his crimes to be so hideous.

Michael Vick will not have paid his debt to society until he is put into a deep pit with a large, healthy, trained, fighting pit bull and nothing but his bare hands to fight it with. If he wins, then he will have paid his debt to society. However, even then he should not be allowed to ever participate in any sport to earn his living. Do you really want your children to look up to this a**hole as a mentor of any kind? Jake may not be the best QB but, at least you can let your children look up to him and not be able to look up his federal rap as part of a report he's doing on his favorite player for school.

i have always been a PANTHER fan from the very beginning, But i have one thing to say Michael Vick is waht the Panther's need. Jake the snake is going to do the same as he always has done. The Panther's will have another loosing season. Untile they ger rid of him it will be that way. And by the everyone screws up at least once itn their life. H e definitely deserves another chance and i hope to see him in th SUPER BOWL come feb.

i would like to post another comment. I went to all th exhibition games in nc and sc prior to us getting the panthers. I also have pets cats and dogs both, and i love them dearly. Michael was wrong for what he did, but none you people reading this is perfect either.

Thank God we didnt sign this clown.The guy was an overrated circus act who wouldve had al the Jake haters peeing their pants because we finally signed an ESPN love child.We didnt need this piss poor excuse for a QB on our team.

What a load of crap....Vick has paid his debts and did not "pay them off" like some of his NFL counterparts. I'm sick of hearing about how awful a person he is while some of these other guys who have been in trouble are made out to be victims in some cases.

As for him at QB...you cannot honestly think Jake Delhomme gives Carolina a better chance at winning than Vick. I mean seriously? What has Jake done for Carolina that Vick has not done for Atlanta other than depth in the playoffs? Nither has a ring so let's go ahead and kill that arguement. Vick had far less talent around him than Jake does in Carolina.

I think 2 years away from the game will actually be good for his body.

It's a complete joke to say that a drunk driver that kills someone is premeditated. Each and every time you get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking you know there is a REAL possibility that you will be in an accident that could possibly kill some. IMO, if you intentionally drink and drive, you intentionally put others life in danger so when that danger turns to reality, you can't hide behind the screen of it was an accident and I didn't mean it.

Drunk drive has been given the built in excuse of it was an accident. A person sobbing, "I didn't mean for this to happen." (Boo hoo hoo). As someone state earlier, so many have gotten behind the wheel intoxicated that they are willing to sympathize with the offense. Of course that is until one of their own family members or close friends is the victim.

Vick killed a dog(s) and it was wrong but I don't here the same out cry for hunters showcase dead animals on tv that were just shot with guns and bow and arrows. I don't here the same out cry during rodeos. Where is a the out cry from you animal lover for these animal shelters that are killing dogs and cats on a weekly basis.

If Vick wasn't a public figure, the public in general would give a "F" about this story. Vick being a public figure has just given you holier than thou types something to hang your hats on and show society how saintly you sinners are.

People are foretting that Michael Vick was a garbage QB to begin with.The guy was horrible.I'd rather have Jake.The guy, although erraticat times, is accurate, a great team leader, and a good role model.Jake may try to force some passes, but he's a gunslinger, so you gotta take the bad with all the good he's brought us.Just ask Packer fans.Oh, did I mention his winning percentage is insanely higher than Vicks?I'm just glad we have smart guys in the FO rather than the clowns who have appeared on this forum.Go away bandwagoneers.

To Matthew Rankin: YOU are the true Troll, for indulging in senseless name-calling, calling Ann a Troll just for stating her reasonable opinion. The "Anonymous" comment bashing her was even lower.

Sounds like sexist boy's club childishness to me. Everyone is free to have & express their opinion here. Personal attacks are what defines a Troll.

My Panther fan opinion, is that I do not want Vick as a QB, but I think the Panthers would benefit from him as a Reggie Bush type RB/WR, & a Wishbone-only QB ... getting laterals & shovel passes in the backfield, maybe even kickoff & punt returns if he can field kicks.

It's an American value that everyone deserves a 2nd chance. After what Vick has lost, i bet he would have been on his best behavior, never embarassing the Panthers or Mr Richardson like Smitty has done twice by sucker-punching teammates, breaking their faces.